One firefighter was treated for second-degree burns and another remains in The Medical Center after they were injured while battling a warehouse fire late Friday in the 1600 block of Third Avenue, the Columbus Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services said today.

Fire Chief Jeff Meyer identified the firefighters as David Smith and Chris Burris. Burris was treated for second-degree burns at the hospital and released while Smith remains in the hospital for second-degree burns and surgery to repair a broken right ankle.

"They had a job to do an unfortunately they were injured," Meyer said of the veteran firefighters. "I can tell you they were in good spirits at the emergency room last night. We are going to do everything we can to support them."

The fire at Railroad Avenue engulfed a building that was once the old Burnham warehouse, Fire Marshal Ricky Shores said. Units from the Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded at 10:22 p.m. Three firefighters were on the loading dock of the structure when a large explosion blew them back, injuring two of them.

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